I posted this on yahoo answers about it , but I got no logical answers , and got mostly alot of criticizing me . So , here's the question . Please help (:
Okay , so I have a TWH that I ride every day (weather permitting) , a shetland pony that I trained to ride , but I'm too large for her to ride daily , and a donkey that isn't really rideable but is close . That is useless information but oh well . While riding my TWH (Queen) .. While riding Queen , Patches (pony) will sometimes , and only sometimes throw what we call a temper tantrum , where she just goes ballistic .. Galloping and kicking around me is what she does . She stopped doing this for awhile , and when she does it gets dangerous because i have her and buddy (donkey) running , kicking , and actually kind of violently "playing" around me . Today she started doing this again . I was on Queen and while warming up with flatwork (oh , did i mention I don't have an arena , I just ride in the pasture with the other horses around , even while jumping ? i don't care if you find this unsafe , you don't know Queen , so .. back off .) Anyway , I stopped Queen because it used to be if I stopped her movement , Patches would settle down . Anyway , Patches didn't settle down . She came over and stood beside us . Well , I didn't mind that , they're pasture buddies anyway . So , then all of the sudden she bucks and it hit air . She seemed (sorry for my language but) she seemed pissed off that she didn't kick something . So she backed up and tried again . This all happened so fast that I didn't see it coming , and Queen is so well mannered she was just staying still and so I got kicked in the leg . I am fine , just a bruise (thank you for tall boots !) But it made me (again sorry) pissed off . My mom thinks that Patches might be jealous , wanting my attention . But in my opinion , horses wouldn't kick to get attention in the wild , so What''s your opinion on why she does this , and how can I stop her ? Screaming doesn't work lol :P Thanks and sorry that this is so long (:
Additional Details :
Patches is only 32" tall , and she is NOT dominate over Queen . This is certain .
I don't have a barn to lock them in , and I don't have a riding arena .
Thanks

Speed Racer

12-13-2011 05:24 PM

Simple answer?

You can't stop the behavior as long as you don't have a place to ride where the pony can't get to you.

Riding with loose animals around is dangerous, period.

The pony isn't jealous, she simply doesn't respect you.

Cinnys Whinny

12-13-2011 05:24 PM

I'm sorry but I really really think this is a dangerous situation for you and Queen. It doesn't matter how safe Queen is, Patches is behaving in a way that is very unsafe. You need to get a separate riding area, period. That pony can do a LOT of damage to Queen with that behavior including breaking one or more of her legs. It only takes one kick placed in just the right spot and you will no longer have Queen anymore.

You either need to A) separate out a riding space or B) confine Patches somewhere else while you ride. Those are the only ideas I have for you. This is definitely a safety concern.

Kayty

12-13-2011 06:04 PM

It would not only be the mare's legs that I'd be worried about, but the OP's legs too. I've heard of a few people that have gotten in the way of a 'stray' hoof in a competition warmup, getting too close to another horse, the horse kicks out and gets the rider. Hello snapped femur.

Either find a way to fence off part of the paddock to ride in, or invest in a temporary yard to put the pony and donkey in while you ride.

smrobs

12-13-2011 06:42 PM

Or, just a couple of good solid posts to tie up the donkey and pony while you ride.

princecharming

12-13-2011 07:56 PM

i would make a little area in the field that was fenced off and put the pony and the donkey in there while you ride Queen, and when you were done you could let them out. Also, if you chose to not do this. BE VERY CAREFUL, i just finished riding a women's horse who broke her leg in this exact same situation(only the donkey kicked her).

Skyseternalangel

12-13-2011 08:05 PM

Agree with smrobs but to add, you should do a little bit of work with that pony so she isn't so disrespectful.. maybe work her every now and then via free lunging or on a line or learn (with a trainer) to drive her. Also make sure her diet isn't too much for her.

countrygirl93

12-13-2011 08:06 PM

okay first of all yes it can be unsafe to ride with the others WHEN they behave this way but lets be real people not everyone has access to an arena or separate pen to ride in. you could also try tying the other two up while you ride but that could lead to other bad habits like halter pulling. your pony doesnt respect you or your other mare at least not while you are on her. does the pony respect you and stay out of your space on the ground? if so i would ride towards the pony when she comes near you like a challenge if your mare queen is higher in the pecking order the pony should respect this if not do something like wave your arms and let her know what shes doing is not ok. if she does get a chance to kick try to slap her but with the rein when shes doing it, just remember the three second rule. if you are one of the people who thinks thats mean then think about this, is there any way possibly you could hit her harder then another horse would bite or kick, if your horse queen was not so well behaved she would not allow this and would not in the pasture, she would kick back and the pony would no doubt back off

Kayty

12-13-2011 08:10 PM

It is not unrealistic to pay a bit of money to get a temp yard put up, or fence a corner of the paddock off with electric tape. Just takes a little bit of effort. There is ALWAYS a solution.

bsms

12-13-2011 08:20 PM

I suspect building a small pen would cost a lot less than one hospital trip for a broken knee...